Sewing thread, needle and much creativity - these were the materials that changed the history of a group of women which started in Campo Grande, Western Zone (Rio de Janeiro). Step by step, they made a difference in their life, in the lives of other girls and women, their families and the community. With the support of ELAS given for three years, the group Fuxicarte was able to enlarge its activity in sewing, embroidery and gossip (fuxico) which they had already begun to develop.

The group helped to change Ana's life as she had previously been working as a simple housekeeper. “I was taking care of my three children and of my domestic tasks and was not aware of another life other than that I was used to. When I began to participate in the group Fuxicarte, new horizons opened up and I got to know other lives and people”, she comments.

And who said that they would remain still. Step by step and with the support of the Federation of Industries of Rio de Janeiro (FIRJAN) and of a famous fashion designer, they sewed for several clients participating in the Fashion Business, the international fashion fair that takes place in Rio de Janeiro. The group also increased the sale of their products in shops situated in famous points of Rio, like trendy district of Ipanema. And the group even saw their pieces being exported overseas.